Government agencies sponsor insurance plans for low-income Georgia residents.
The rising costs of health care make it increasingly difficult for low-income families to afford quality insurance. Each state has government-funded programs that give low-income families the opportunity to obtain health insurance. Georgia residents may qualify for income-based programs sponsored by the Georgia Department of Community Health.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income or no-income individuals and families. Medicaid provides a variety of medical benefits to eligible recipients such as: inpatient and outpatient hospital services, emergency services, laboratory and X-ray procedures, home health care, nursing home care and doctor's visits.
Eligibility for Georgia Medicaid is based on complex factors including income and medical necessity. To qualify for Medicaid in Georgia, low-income individuals must have income that is below a certain percentage of the federal poverty line depending on the number of people in the recipient's household. Further, the recipient cannot have assets that exceed $2,000 as an individual or $3,000 as a couple to qualify for Medicaid.
Georgia PeachCare
Georgia PeachCare is a comprehensive health insurance program for low-income, uninsured children under age 18. The program provides hospitalization coverage, emergency services, prescription medication, vision, dental and preventive care. To be eligible for Georgia PeachCare, household income cannot exceed 235 percent of the federal poverty level. Parents and guardians must provide income verification with the application to qualify.
Long-term Care
Long-term care insurance helps Georgia residents pay for expenses resulting from chronic disease, serious accidents, illness or cognitive disabilities. Long-term care is designed to maintain the recipient's quality of life. Long-term care service include: adult day care, home health care, nursing homes, hospice and respite care. The Georgia Department of Community Health offers a partnership program between Medicaid and long-term care insurers. The partnership program is designed for individuals who cannot afford the cost of long-term care but may be able to afford long-term care insurance premiums with the assistance of state-sponsored insurers.
Volunteer Health Care
The Georgia Volunteer Health Care Program is a state-sponsored program the provides low-income Georgia residents -- who earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level -- with access to free health care. Residents must contact participating clinics to verify the types of services provided and hours of operation. Free clinic services range from vision and dental care to primary care and women's health services.
Tags: Georgia residents, health care, federal poverty, Georgia PeachCare, health insurance, care insurance, care nursing
